[Macworld]

Post your comments for First Look: iTunes 8.0 here

[fds]

Quote

The native resolution of both shows is 853-by-480,

Then you watched the SD version.
iTunes downloads both the SD and HD versions if you purchase - or download for free - an HD show.

For a 16:9 widescreen show, the SD version is 853×480, the HD version is 1280×720.

[cphoffman42]

I don't know what they've been telling you, but 853-by-480 is not HD. It's just widescreen. TVs have (pretty much) always had 480 vertical lines in the US. To be HD, it has to be at least 720 vertical lines.

[sheilanolan]

Thanks for that extra info. At the moment, the genius is struggling with my classical and soundtrack albums, even the ones that are in iTunes! I'm hoping that this will improve over time as more people add their libraries because I'm feeling a bit left out at the moment.

[brandon95030]

To get HD TV Shows to download correctly I had to:
1) Enable 1-Click under Preferences->Store.
2) Check "Allow simultaneous downloads" at bottom of Downloads screen.
If "Allow simultaneous downloads" is not checked the HD version is downloaded first, then the SD version is downloaded and iTunes overwrites the HD version! So you are only left with the SD version. Talk about a basic bug...
For the new HD TV Shows you get two files:
SD version is 853x480 (amamorphic DVD quality)
HD version is 1280x720 (720p)
Indecently the old SD TV Shows are 640x360, not even DVD quality. So there are now three different resolutions on iTunes...

[kirkmc]

Yea, they're certainly not HD. I downloaded a bunch of the free shows, and they are 853x480. Weird...
Kirk

[Kyle_Varnell]

That "Genius" thing irritates me for some reason. I guess it's just a feature I don't find particularly useful for me. Now I've read rumors that it's also supposed to be coming to some older iPods (classic) via a software update. Hopefully they'll include something to turn it off.

Now if only they could do it for that extremely annoying "On-The-Go" playlist that I can't seem to get rid of on my iPod Classic that'd make me a happy camper.
Message was edited by: Kyle_Varnell

[kirkmc]

I have Allow Simultaneous Downloads checked all the time and I didn't get HD...
Kirk

[Rugby]

130GB took me 10 minutes max so Kirk McElhearn might have a odd taste ; )

[dsaponaro]

Maybe its a similar problem I have been having with my HD Downloads.
I bought Heroes season 2 in HD and while everything appeared to be downloading correctly. Afterward I went to my library and found exclamation marks next to all my HD episodes but my SD versions were all fine. When I try playing one of the HD files it says the file cant be found would you like to locate? etc... The files are not where they are suppose to be in the finder and are no where to be found. Checking for available purchases is futile as well.
Ive read on apples discussions quite a few having this problem and some have found making sure "allow multiple downloads" and "Buy using one click" is enabled. No luck for me though. I have since reported this problem to apple and am awaiting a reply.
dsaponaro

[vfx2k4]

Gotta say the removal of the preference option to remove tracks links to the iTunes Music Store is one of the most greedy things Apple has done yet. This needs to be brought back in 8.1 in a hurry. Removed mine with the workaround but it's just silly...

[kirkmc]

I have lots of classical music, and other very odd tastes. :-) I don't think that's what took so long though. It took about 45 min to read my library, then another ten minutes to calculate, and 5 or so to send it to Apple.
Kirk

[brandon95030]

Pause all the SD downloads and let the HD downloads finish first, then move the HD versions to another folder, then unpause the SD versions. That makes it impossible for the SD versions to overwrite the HD versions.


iTunes 8 has a basic bug where the HD and SD versions of the file have the same filename sometimes and they overwrite one another. I'm not buying any HD TV Shows until this is fixed. Play around with the free TV HD Shows only.

[mdawson]

Quote

iTunes 8 is also much better when dealing with changing tags on multiple items now, which was somewhat of a weak point in previous releases. A new tabbed window appears when you press Command-I with a number of items selected, giving you a number of additional items that can be changed?including a tab dedicated to changing sort order.

I am glad to read this, as the implementation of modifying the sort fields across tracks iTunes 7 by applying sort fields was just plain bad. Hopefully when Macworld does their full review of iTunes 8 they will discuss whether or not Apple has addressed organized iTunes Music folders in conjunction with the sorting features added in iTunes 7. Since the introduction of the Album Artist and sorting fields in the previous version, iTunes should not be continuing to default to the Artist field to name artist folders when the newer fields are utilized. The naming of those folders should be based on the following priorities:
bq. 1. Sort Album Artist 2. Album Artist 3. Sort Artist 4. Artist
and it is not as if it would take any real effort for Apple to implement that functionality. Otherwise the ?Keep iTunes Music folder organized? option is of no real use.